Thursday, March 19, 2015

Prairie Trail Scenic Byway extended

The original 56-mile route was designated as a scenic byway in 2007. It begins
at Canton in McPherson County then follows county roads north to Roxbury and
west to the south I-135/K-4 interchange. It follows K-4 westward to K-141 and
then goes north to the K-140/K-141 intersection in Ellsworth County, where it
formerly ended. The new extension will take travelers west on K-140 to
Ellsworth, then north on K-156 to I-70.

“The Kansas Byway Committee is excited about extending the Prairie
Trail Scenic Byway to 80 miles because it highlights many of the scenic and
historical features from Canton to I-70,” said Sue Stringer, KDWPT Kansas
Byways and Agritourism Manager. “We commend the grassroots Prairie Trail
committee for realizing what this area of central Kansas offers the traveler
and for working together to develop their corridor management plan to protect,
preserve and market their communities through the Kansas Byway program.”

The Prairie Trail Scenic Byway showcases a number of scenic and historic
locations. Travelers can see bison at Maxwell Wildlife Refuge and visit
Roxbury, Lindsborg, Marquette, Kanopolis State Park and Reservoir, Mushroom
Rock State Park and Ellsworth, a prominent city along a branch of the historic
Great Western Trail. The terrain features rolling hills punctuated by dramatic
views and rocky outcrops. It is one of 11 scenic or historic byways in the
state, a figure that includes two national scenic byways.

The Kansas Byway program is jointly managed by KDOT and the Kansas
Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT). The Kansas State Historical
Society and the Federal Highway Administration also participate on the Kansas
Byway Committee which oversees the program.